Box Score Box Score

REDDING, Calif.  – Shannon Harte hit a pair of free-throws midway through overtime to break a tie and the Northwest Christian University women's basketball team their final lead as they held on to defeat Simpson University on Wednesday night, 72-69.

Trailing by seven points at halftime, NCU fought back and eventually tied the game with 34 seconds left in regulation on a jumper from Lindsey Shearer. Katie Collins hit four straight free throws to open up the OT and give the Beacons a 66-62 lead. After the Red Hawks clawed back to a 66-66 tie, Harte grabbed an offensive rebound and was fouled on the put-back attempt. She sank both free throws to give NCU the lead for good.

Head Coach Liz Turner-Bolton said, “It wasn't a particularly pretty game but nonetheless we played a great physical game and were able to tighten up our defense in the second half and force a lot of turnovers. We did well to come out of it with a win tonight. I'm glad we went to overtime early in the season, hopefully that experience will help us down the road this season.”

The Beacons (2-1) were led by Shearer who flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 16 points, nine rebounds, nine assists and seven steals. Collins added 14 points as she shot 8-for-8 at the free-throw line. Aly Bruns added eleven points and six steals and Harte finished with 13. NCU shot just 36% in the game, but hit 26-of-37 free throw attempts, for a 70% clip.

Simpson (0-3) was led by Bekah Eppler, scoring 13 points. Ariassa Wilson came off the bench to score twelve, adding seven assists, six rebounds and three steals. The Red Hawks outscored NCU off the bench, 28-21.

NCU will be back in action on Friday when they open up the Bill Holtz Warrior Classic against Cal State Maritime at 1:00 pm. They will face the host William Jessup at 5:00 pm on Saturday.